Quick Q&A: Do I need a 4×4 car when driving around Iceland?

Giving advice about traveling in Iceland is sometimes difficult because the advice you give depends completely on who you are giving it to. For example, if someone from LA or Southern Spain asks me about the weather in Iceland their perspective is very different from someone that is born and raised in North Norway or somewhere in Canada where it can go down to -40°C in winter. To the person from LA our summer whether is probably cold whereas the person from Canada can’t believe that it doesn’t often go below -10°C in winter in Reykjavík and only packs their light winter clothes.

The question about what kind of car you need for your visit to Iceland is similar. The answer depends on what you are used to, where you are going and when. It’s usually more expensive to hire a 4WD and then not all 4×4 are created equal. It doesn’t matter how powerful the four wheel drive is, you can’t cross Krossá river in a Skoda Oktavia Station for example.

Question: Do I need a 4×4 car to travel around Iceland?

The boyfriend and I own an old Citroen C5 and since we bought it a few years ago we have driven all over Iceland in it in all kinds of conditions. We have good winter tires but it’s not 4×4 so I guess the short answer is: no, you don’t need a four wheel drive to travel around Iceland.

However, there are some exceptions and a few things to consider.

First of all, a lot of the Icelandic highlands are only accessible in 4×4 jeeps (4WD on its own is not necessarily enough) and you can get huge fines if you drive a normal rental car into these areas. The highland roads are usually marked as F roads but Kjölur, which is not an F road, is also included. So if you plan to visit any of those areas or drive on F-marked roads you definitely need a four wheel drive. If you want to visit places like Þórsmörk then a normal jeep might not even be enough because you have to cross a few unbridged rivers to get there.

In the summer you can drive the whole ring road without a 4×4. Most of it is paved and most of the places the normal visitor goes to does not require a 4WD.

In the winter, if you are traveling to areas where there can be a lot of snow, a 4×4 can be helpful. This mostly applies to the North, the Westfjords and the East. Most of the roads close to Reykjavík however are well maintained (like the Golden Circle, South Shore and Snæfellsnes Peninsula) and they only close when the weather is extra bad. When it is bad like that you shouldn’t be driving there no matter what kind of car you have. If you don’t have any experience with driving in snow then maybe you will feel more comfortable knowing that you are driving a 4WD, just in case.

Then the unpredictable Icelandic weather always plays a role as well. You might visit us in the height of winter and you won’t see as much as a single snowflake the whole time you are here. Or it might start snowing in July like it did in the highlands this year. So there’s no way to tell whether there will be snow when you visit or not.

Having said all that, the prices for four wheel drives are considerably lower in the winter than in summer and often the difference in price is not that huge. The 4WD are also a little bit bigger, and therefore more comfortable, so if you want a little bit more comfort they are also a good choice.

Whatever you do, just remember that the conditions here can be completely different from what you are used to. It’s important to rent cars in good condition that have good tires and such.

79 thoughts on “Quick Q&A: Do I need a 4×4 car when driving around Iceland?”

As someone who has driven a hundred thousand km in Canadian winter, by far the most important thing to have is good winter tires. All seasons don’t cut it (they’ll do in a pinch in light snow). The tread should be at least 7 mm deep. With good tires, you can drive in snow as deep as the clearance from bottom of the car (unless there is ice underneath). Having four-wheel drive is nearly useless without good tires that can grip in the conditions. Four-wheel drive can also give you a false sense of confidence because acceleration is better but braking isn’t. Four-wheel drive is handy when going up slippery hills including getting out of ruts. But good tires are ten times more important. In winter, insist the vehicle has winter tires above all else. I’d much rather rent a Ford Ka with winter tires than any 4×4 with all seasons for driving on paved roads, and the Ka has uncomfortable seats.

Most accidents in winter come from people driving too fast. Others are caused from people slamming the brakes instead of easing into braking. If snow on the side of the road suddenly pulls the steering, it’s better to counter steer than to brake. Both turning and braking use up the available friction the tires have against the road surface, so you have to manage how you use that friction. Four wheel drive does no better in these situations. Best advice? Just slow down, and let faster vehicles pass.

That being said, I’ve seen some of the hills, and I would take a four-wheel drive vehicle with winter tires in winter if it were not much more expensive. The additional cost would be a lot less than that of a tow truck to pull you up the hill.

I’ve just came back from a week in Iceland (first visit) and for three days I drove around the south coast in a small camper — Vik, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, then on the return journey, the Golden Circle. On the outbound trip the weather was absolutely atrocious, with driving rain and high winds which blew the van around, disappointing really because the spectacular scenery was obscured. Obviously I didn’t need a 4WD for that trip although the camper was an AWD which was useful in the conditions, even on sealed roads. What struck me was the care that needs to exercised all the time because of the narrowness of the roads, the general absence of guard rails and the fact that the roads themselves are frequently elevated and it would not be that hard to run off the edge of them. As someone from another country with a vast, empty interior and a small population that mostly clings to the coast (Australia), I’m used to driving long distances on two-lane highways and sharing them with buses and articulated trucks, but the issue is even more acute in Iceland, especially with the weather. FWIW about driving in general, I would say the biggest challenge for the visitor is dealing with that aspect, especially if you come from Europe or the US with a spacious road infrastructure. There’s a reason for the 90 kph speed limit, and as I found out, that’s sometimes way too fast on Icelandic roads anyway.

Tom,I come from a country with spacious road structure (3 or 4 lanes each direction) ;-), but a lot more traffic than in Iceland. Wel, driving in Iceland (the whole Ringroad) was for me: chilling. 🙂 (in summer, even when I had bad weather conditions in the Westfjords Highland passes)
Of course I payed attention to the road, but I could admire the landschape too, while driving, of course one must be careful everywere, but everything is well marked in Iceland (one lane bridge, malbik endar, gravel, …) and if people respect the speed limits, there are no difficulties…
In my country there are too many marks and plates, (one behind another…) you even don’t have the time to see them all, haha!
I was surprised while driving that everyone was respecting trafic rules so well in Iceland, even in towns, tourists too. Maybe some trucks were driving way too fast on gravel roads, but they are used too, though it scared me a little bit concerning ‘space left and all that dust, you don’t see anything anymore).

It’s difficult to recommend people a car, in general.
I even drove from Hella to Landmannalaugar with my VW-bus. :-b Only on the F-roads I drove very carefully. It took about 2 hours to do some 30 kms on that F-road. But no problems with the car. It was in summer in good weather conditions. On other F-roads (in Asbyrgi) I couldn’t drive at all!
The 2 rivers just in front of Landmannalaugar, I could cross them, but I didn’t. You never know what the next day will bring you (some rain, some heavy rain…) and I saw uncarefully people been rescued by the emergency team. The whole Ringroad is perfect for normal cars.
You are right: you can’t tell anyone which car they will need.
Never go on F-roads with rental cars if you’re not allowed is the only rule 🙂

I have rented a 4×4 truck first week of July 2015 (with lagoon rentals… Excellent rental company)… It did not help to much because most of the F-roads were closed and the truck was also very low (Toyota RAV4) to cross some of the small creeks and rivers. My suggestion is spending more and rented a better 4×4 truck if you are interested to explore the highlands… For the rest of time of my trip in Iceland, I rented a small-compact car (with Go Iceland… I do not recommend it to anybody; the worst front desk and customer services) which I did not take the GP assurance (Big mistake!!!) because I planned to drive in the main highway. From my complete experience I will recommend to rent a small car for driving in the highway 1, and if you want to explore some of the most excited trails in highlands, you should take the bus.. Bus schedules are very flexible and excellent service

It’s a pity you had not the right car for your trips.
Almost all F-roads were closed in the first week of july? Were the weather conditions and road conditions that bad in spring untill june, this year?
When I was there in july and august 2014, no (main) F-roads were closed, except in the end of august when Bardarbunga volcano caused some trouble, I had to leave the area around Asbyrgi.
Friends who want to visit Iceland too, (because of all my great stories I tell them and my photos), ask me ‘what car should I rent?’ I can tell them about the Ringroad1 with a 2WD-car (no problems), but I can’t recommend them these big 4WD people can rent at a price of 250 to 300 euros a day! (even with a good job and a good life, this is a LOT of money for most Western Europeans!) WHY should you rent such a car if in 10 days there are lots and lots of OTHER very interesting things to see and do in Iceland, on and along the Ringroad.
(and even with my 2WD I went to Landmannalaugar etc…. depends on the road conditions of course)

I will be there on June 24th and I really would like to see LANDMANNALAUGAR. I have a little car rented right now but I could upgrade to a 4 wheel drive. Will a smaller 4 wheel drive work or do I need something raised and large? I will be staying near to vik and I was hoping to get to LANDMANNALAUGAR from around there, instead of from Reykjavik. Is there any route that would be open? Any advice you have for me would be great. I’ve been looking into this all week and I’m struggling trying to figure it all out.

Maybe you can reach Landmannalaugar via Hella, if the other road is closed. I took that road in summer, with my 2 WD.
If you rent a car, you should be sure if you are ALLOWED to take F-roads with your rented 2 WD..
And in Landmannalaugar you take a risk with a rented 2 WD car, if you cross the last rivers over there. That’s what security agents over there told me. In case of unallowed crossings and incidents, they notice your number plate and tell your rental car office… I didn’t stay on the camping ground (across the rivers) but parked on the big parking in front of the river. When you arrive, the river level can be okay to cross, but the next day… you never know. (I ve seen uncarefull people stuck in there)
The F-road to Landmannalaugar with a 2WD took me 2 hours (for 30-40 kms). A lot of holes, mud, small creeks across the roads. Maybe you are more comfortable with a 4WD and its insurance if you need to rent a car.
As someone said before already: a lot of your decision depends on wheater conditions and nature. Meanwhile you are in Iceland already!?

Hi, I am doing the ring road trip late August and the first week of September. I want to rent a small car, e.g. a Toyota Yaris – can this be OK you think? The price seems to be a big difference, adding all up. Thanks.

If you’re a tall person, avoid the Ford Ka. I got it because I needed nothing more for one day, but it turns out the seats are very uncomfortable and unadjustable if you have a longer back. It took about two weeks for my sore back from that seat to go away. It was awful, but Iceland was marvellous!

Hi Audur, thank you for your posts, they are very helpful! My husband, I and two of our friends are planning on going to Iceland in March or April next year. We would like to travel around Iceland, but not necessarily take the F roads. What do you think, do we really need 4×4? Thank you for your answer!

I think I would rent a 4×4 for a trip around the ring road in March, maybe not as necessary in April. The snow sticks around for much longer in the north and the east fjords and some places you simply can’t visit without a 4×4, even if you are just sticking to the main roads.

We are headed out for the 3rd-13th of October and I am really leaning towards 2WD simply because most 4WD or 4X4’s are over $2000 for the 10 days :(. Will we need it for that time of year? I am also concerned about the high winds in a tin can, should I be? We are going to travelling with our 3yo son, so we want to find some fun stuff for all of us.

That depends on where you are going and what this winter will be like (something no one can predict at this point). It will often start snowing in October although November til March are more considered the “hard core” winter months.

I’ll be visiting Iceland in later November, early December this year for seven days. Any chance you could help me find a 4WD camper for two for this period for under 1000 USD? If not, what are your thoughts about KUKU Campers? I currently see their Category D SUV (Dodge Durango) as the cheapest 4WD fully equipped camper.

I cannot with good conscience recommend you rent a camper in December. First of all, most of the campsites are closed in December and although the internet may have you believe that you can camp anywhere that’s not really the case. Also, you can have all kinds of weather in December making a camper a very inconvenient way to travel. If the wind is strong and there’s ice on the roads these campers get swept off the road and it can be flat out dangerous.

As for your question about Kúkú campers, I have no personal experience with them. I don’t approve of some of the ways they have used to market themselves but whether the things I don’t like about that have anything to do with the service they actually provide I simply don’t know. If you do decide to do this, make sure you pack a lot of warm clothes and that the camper you get is on the appropriate tires and in good condition and such.

Hi!
I will be driving ring road late July- early August next year. Is a 2WD adequate at this time of year. I plan on driving ring road and would like to be able to venture off if there is something I want to see. I don’t want to miss out on seeing something because I got a 2WD but I would also like to save money if possible. Also, what are your must sees along ring road. I have 8 days/7 nights so it is a little rushed. Any recommendations are appreciated!
Thanks!

We’ll be visiting Iceland next year in late February for 7 days and planning to drive to the Golden Circle, South Iceland for ice caving and Snæfellsnes for whale watching. Do you think an 4WD car will be necessary for those places during that time of the year? Also, do you think it would make sense to add North Iceland such as Myvatn, Akureyri to our trip as well (7 days)?

If you add north Iceland to the trip you are essentially doing the whole circle in seven days which I wouldn’t recommend in February. You might get away with not having 4×4 in the south and around Snæfellsnes but when we were in Akureyri and the north in February last year, there were many places we wouldn’t have been able to get to if we didn’t have a jeep.

I will be coming to Iceland in November 17 – 22. We plan to drive along the south coast from Rekyavik – Vik – Jokulsarlon and back to Rekyavik. We do not plan to do any off-roading and will stay on main roads. In this case, do you think it is necessary to rent a 4X4 or is a Toyota Yaris okay (this is coming up a lot in my searches). We are coming from Boston and have extensive experience driving in snow without a 4X4 so feel confident in the other car, but want to be realistic about roads in Iceland on the South – Southeast Coast. Please let me know what you think Thank you!

I am spending five days driving part of the Ring Road with a friend from the 31st of March to the 5th of April. We are driving Reykjavik – Vik – Hofn – Myvatn – Akureyri, and then due to not having much time we are flying back to Reykjavik. We are planning to visit the ‘must see’ sights which I assume aren’t too difficult to reach, but I have seen some pictures of signposts to sights like Dettifoss and Godafoss which seem to be along F roads. Would we need a 4WD at that time of year and for what we plan to see?

We’re visiting Iceland between the 17th and 20th December… We are reluctant to pay for a 4×4 and we don’t plan on going further than the golden circle as we aren’t here for long. Do you think we will be fine in a 2WD in the dead of December? What car would you recommend? We are from Scotland.

We also saw your blog on the snorkelling in Silfra and hope to book it soon- although we are quite worried about being chilly! 😀

I am arriving this weekend. So far, I have crossed Myvatn and the North-West firmly off my list, not the least because of the 4.5 hours of available daylight for best-condition driving.

The roads to all the places I want to visit [e.g. Reyj Vik Hofn maybe Kirkju] are showing as ‘green’ on the Vegagerden website – just want to confirm that it does mean EASILY passable, without needing to moderately reduce speed, and that perhaps an automatic such as a Yarus w/ winter tires would do a fine job?

There’s no snow to speak of on the south part of the country right now and it’s not likely to change in the next few days. The long term forecast says maybe on Monday we’ll see some snow but it’s been showing that for a while now and the snow never comes.

I just discovered your website, and it’s highly useful and well done. I will be travelling to Iceland from the 1st of January until the 13th. I already travelled to Iceland once (in the summer mind you) and drove the Golden Circle and went to Vik. This time, I was planning on driving from Reykjavik to Akureyri and Myvatn. I was wondering if you thought a 4WD was necessary for this. Just as context, I live in Canada (I have lived in Ottawa, Montreal, and Québec City) and I am used to winter driving in often terrible conditions. Here, I often drive for long hours in a 2WD Hyundai in winter storms without issues. I know Iceland is different and was wondering if you could perhaps make a recommendation.

Thanks again for everything and I’m looking forward to booking one of your walking tours while in Reykjavik.

I’m planning to use the Icelandair “stopover” to visit April 28-May 1, 2017. I know I need to do further research regarding what all I should do/see in the 2 full days, but am thinking either the Golden Circle or the Ring of Fire. My current thinking is the Ring of Fire would take WAY to long and I should stick to the Golden Circle for one day and the other day in Reyjavik. Would you agree or disagree? Any advice would be most appreciated.

Hi,
Thank you for the great information! I stumbled onto your website last night and have already learned a lot. We are visiting Iceland Oct. 15 – 22, 2017. There will be six of us. We plan to drive the Ring Road. Do you feel we have enough time to do this? We will be renting a vehicle large enough for 6 adults. Do you feel a mini van would be okay or should be get the large SUV? I’m assuming a Transet Van would be out of the question due to road conditions and weather/wind.

Thanks for so much useful information. In early July 2017, we will be travelling the following route over 14 days:
Reykjavík, Hvolsvöllur, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Hofn, Egilsstaðir, Lake Myvatn, Husavik, Akureyri, Sauoarkrokur, Holmavik, Grundarfjordur, Reykjavík.
Are any of these locations on the F roads as I do not want to break any rules re 2WD hire vehicles and F roads?

Hi Auður,
your blog looks amazing, thanks so much for sharing your valuable thoughts.
My partner and I are visiting Iceland from the 25th February til the 4th March. So, a whole week. We are mainly driving the Ring Road to the East, probably as far as Hof, visiting Jokulsarlon and glacier surroundings and then back to visit Snaefellsnes for two days. Do you think that we would need a 4WD? It’s hard to decide for us since we have read many different comments about driving in winter.
Thanks again!
Angie.

Ive read your blogs and its amazing with the wealth of information you have provided. We will be visiting from March 15 to 19th for our first time. The only question we have is, besides Blue Car rental, are there any other car rental companies you would recommend. I thought I saw it in one of your blogs but could not find it again.

Hi – you’ve got a great post! I am visiting Iceland in the second week of June this year and driving from Reykjavik to Hofn, and back. We will primarily stick to things on the Ring Road. Do you think we need a 4WD? Thanks!

Hello! Your website has been tremendously helpful for planning my upcoming trip to Iceland March 19 to March 26. I am planning to drive from Reykjavik to Vik then back to Reykjavik to Akureyri. I would like your thoughts regarding whether I should get a 4WD for this week. Thank you!

Hi! A fruend and I will be there in the first week of April. we are planning to use Reyk as a hub and go to Snaefellsness one day, Golden Circle the next day and Jokursalon the next day. Do you think this is doable? Also, would a 4×4 be necessary? Im still not sure if any of these places are hard to reach.

Hi, your website is found very useful. Thanks! I will drive for my trip and I have some questions.
First, I am wondering whether I need a 4×4 from 2Jun 17 to 12Jun 17 for the following roads:
– from Road 1 to Dyrholaey Arc by Road 218;
– from Dyrholaey Arc to Kirkjufjara beach (by Road 218);
– from Vik to Skaftareldahraun Lava Field;
– from Vik to Fjadrargljufur Canyon;
– from Seyoisfjorour to Skalanes
Second, Dyrholaey Arc will be closed in June nesting season?
Third, can I use google map instead of GPS?
Many thanks!

Morning. Have just come across your excellent site.
We land in Iceland on May 6 then go on to Toronto on May 9. Our first visit and a short one unfortunately.
We are staying in the capital. I’m debating whether to hire a car and if so do we need a 4 x4 or shall we do the main touristy things with a tour bus? Many thanks.

Hi Audur,
Thanks for helping us all out! We will be driving from Reykjavic to Vatnajokull National Park. We are are planning to stay at Skaftafell campground and driving no further than the Vestrahorn Mountains. We will be doing this May 11-May19th. Should we consider a 4WD rental care for this region? Especially if we go off Highway 1 to campgrounds, hikes, etc… Thank you in advance!

Hi Auður,
You have a great website here. Very interesting reading as I am in the process of renting a 4 X 4 for a trip in August. Can you tell me what type of 4 X 4 or 4 wheel drive vehicle is acceptable if I want to take a day to drive road 35 from Gullfoss north to Ring Road 1?
I understand road 35 does not have any river crossings.
Kind regards,
Phil

Hello from NYC.. I’m going to Iceland the first week of August for a week. Just me, the wife and our 9 year old child. We plan on driving the golden circle and maybe a few other rural places. I have never been to Iceland therefore I do not know much about it. Do we need a SUV? I’m not planning on driving to the tip of a mountain or anything lol but maybe here and there I would like to maybe drive off the main road a little bit to capture a nice picture or scenery nothing crazy of course. What do you think? Where should I pick up my rental car? At KEF? Any suggestions for other places to drive to besides golden circle. Ring road is too long. Thanks again!

If you are going to go a bit off the main roads, you have to have a car that is suitable for that. The cars undercarriage is never a part of the insurance policy.
You can expect that you will take it easy for the first day, due to the jetlag.
Golden Circle, South coast and Snæfellsnes peninsula are the most popular self drive routes from Reykjavik.
Here we have our home made self drive guides 🙂 – http://www.iheartreykjavik.net/?s=drive+it+yourself